With Missouri heading to Tennessee this weekend, Tigers offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Derek Dooley is an understandably hot topic.

Dooley coached the Volunteers from 2010-12, going 15-21 overall and 4-19 in SEC play before getting fired with one game left in his final season on Rocky Top. He spent the next five years as the Dallas Cowboys’ receivers coach prior to joining Barry Odom’s Missouri staff this season.

During Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Odom was asked about Dooley’s influence on his offense and prolific senior quarterback Drew Lock, who many consider to be a future first-round NFL draft pick. Odom had great things to say about his offensive coordinator as the Tigers (6-4, 2-4 SEC) prepare to face Tennessee (5-5, 2-4) at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Below is everything Odom said Wednesday.

On the impact of Derek Dooley:

  • He’s done a nice job of leading that side of the ball, not only with the players but the staff. He has an ability to lead. He has helped our football team and program become better. He has really invested himself in these kids. He’s put us in a position to play winning football each week.

On the offense’s balance:

  • I think every team is different, but the ability to run the ball, with the experience we have at offensive line and running back, being able to run opens the pass game for us, makes things easier on Drew. … We have to stay with what is working, not necessarily trying to be balanced.

On Dooley, what ways had he helped Drew Lock?

  • His ability to teach and the concepts. He has taught him patience, made him a better player and better quarterback. We are better than we’ve been in a long time, much of it due to the growth of Drew.

Do you pick Dooley’s brain about being a head coach?

  • Sure. I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t want to act like I do. If you want to be as good as you can be, you have to take all the information you can from anyone that you think can help.

On Tennessee QB Jarrett Guarantano

  • I’m vry impressed with him. He’s athletic, the accuracy of his deep ball, he is giving his guys opportunities to make plays. He is putting them in the right position. If it’s zone, he’s finding the holes. I’m really impressed with the way he’s playing.

On WR Emanuel Hall’s absence, how did that affect your offense?

  • Well, our backups have to be ready. He is an impact player; I don’t want to minimize that. Because of his presence, he makes plays when he is in the game. I think he will play his best game this weekend.

On Mizzou’s improved run defense:

  • I think experience. It starts up front. When I got here, I realized quickly this is a line-of-scrimmage league. We are better there than we have ever been. We do some things schematically, but it will be a great challenge this week.